By: David Yang

Soccer, a sport played with 11 players, has had a profound impact on me in various ways. It has taught me the value of teamwork and the importance of perseverance. It all began when my fourth-grade teacher handed me a soccer club flyer, sparking my interest in the sport.

I ran back home, eager to seek permission to join the soccer club. Soccer was not a common sport in Taiwan, making it a unique and exciting experience for me. However, when I first met my team, we were all unfamiliar with soccer and each other. Our team coach, though, stood out with his willingness to help us without any cost. Every Monday, we would start practice by running laps around the court. Running 800 meters was a challenge, but our coach’s encouraging words, “Keep it up! And never give up,” pushed me to persevere.

As the first semester came to an end, we faced a big soccer game. Being a rookie team, our coach adopted a strategy focused on preventing the opponents from scoring. I was surprised when my coach assigned me to play as a forward. During the game, the scorching sun drained my energy, but I remembered our coach’s words and gave my all to steal the ball from our opponents. Though they managed to score once, I assisted my teammate in scoring, turning the tide of the game. Despite losing 1 to 3, we were not disheartened. Our hard work paid off, and we exceeded our coach’s expectations. This game marked a memorable moment in my fourth-grade journey.

In the following year, my family moved to the US, where soccer was a common sport for kids in Indiana. Joining a big soccer club with many talented players, I felt the pressure to improve my skills. Our team practiced and competed in games regularly. During one practice, our coach held a competition to see who could score the most penalty kicks. To my surprise, I won the competition, boosting my confidence and belief in my abilities. At the end of the semester, we gave our all to qualify for tournaments, but the final score was 6 to 5 in favor of the opponents. Despite the loss, I learned that teamwork and relationships among teammates are more important than the results. The most outstanding goal of our team involved teamwork. When I stole the ball from the opponent, I made a long pass to my teammate, who then scored the ball. Soccer is a sport that relies on effective teamwork, understanding, and support for each other.

Overall, soccer has not only shaped me into a better player but also taught me valuable life lessons about perseverance, teamwork, and the importance of building strong relationships with others.